MFB Synth II

In regard to control, the Synth 2 is straight forward enough AS A
SYNTH. But when accessing it's other features, one deals with a
fairly wide assortment of buttons serving multiple purposes and the
necessity for varying button combinations in order to have buttons
react in different ways. For example, hit the white C1 button by
itself, and a low C note will issue forth from the synth. Hold the
"User" button and then hit C1, and now C1 corresponds to the call back
mechanism for the first stored user patch. Hold the "Sequence" button
and then hit C1 and one now has called back the first stored sequence.
And on and on it goes.

Setting up sequences is a bit odd, but fairly straight forward.
Editing sequences is not so nearly as clear a picture though.
Essientially, once a sequence has been made, one has the ability to
edit that sequence on the fly (NICE!). There are a number of
limitations one encounters in this regard however, such as:

1.The amount of steps utilized by the sequence can not be changed on
the fly.

2.Only up to the first 16 steps can be edited in real time.

3.Note ties, though they can be made, can not be made in realtime.

The English manual distributed by MFB at the time I received my unit is rather bad. It does not always give accurate information in regard to how one achieves actions with the unit and at times even gives inaccurate information in regard to how the architecture of the synth works (most notably in regard to the FM implementation). One can expect to spend some time working their way through the misinformation of the manual, but luckily, as this is a fairly simplistic unit, it can be done in less than a day (couple hours at most).

The orginal MFB Synth itself was essientially a clone which sought out to emulate the Minimoog. Sure some nifty features like MIDI capabilites and patch storage were added, but in regard to architecture and sonic capability, it did not do much to extend on the original mini's capabilities. The Synth II would take more of a different approach however.

The Synth II doesn't look to take the common day approach of DSP chip based Analouge emulation. It is analouge through and through (VCO, VCF, VCA). On first glance, one would probably note of it's architecture that it still seems pretty Mini like. It is a monosynth, it has 3 VCOs, a 24db 4pole cascading filter, filter EG, amp EG, etc. Worthy of note is that both OSC 2 and 3 can have there pitch shifted up or down an octave. Also, Osc 3 is capable of diving one octave below that of either OSC 1 or 2. Those....would be the small changes....things quickly begin to get more interesting though.

For one, one can make OSC 2 slave to OSC 1. Also, ring modulations of
OSC 1 & OSC 2, and/or OSC 2 & OSC 3 can be established. Also, OSC 3
can be used as an operator for FM, with it's modulation being applied to both OSC 1 and OSC 2. Another addition would be that the two LFOs can be changed into one shot EGs. This thing truly begins to hop into territory the orginal Mini never dared.

I was rather suprised to find that all knobs on the MFB transmit MIDI
data, but even more surprised to find how the knobs worked when
patches were recalled. Essientially the Synth 2 takes a page out of
the Novation handbook and applies "pick up" mode to all of the knobs
when a patch is recalled. That is to say, that any movements you make
to a knob will not actually take effect until the knob has been moved
through it's original sitting point on a patch. NICE!
It is also possible to get the synth to show the values of where knobs
are currently sitting, however, doing this effectively would take more
memorizing than I think it is worth. As I noted before, buttons serve
multiple purposes on the MFB, and so to recall knob values, one would
have to memorize things like "C1 applies to VCO2 tune value", "C1#
applies to VCO3 tune value", etc.

Though there is no modulation wheel on the Synth 2 itself, one can
assign what such continous controller data affects when received from
an external device. I forget all of the options, but I have mine set
to effect the Cutoff of the filter.

Similarly, one can assign which LFO modulates the VCF or VCO 2 (though
this is a global setting and not stored on a patch by patch basis).

Another nice touch is that the VCA can be modulated via velocity for
dynamic play as can the VCF.

Topping off the list of goodies is a 32 step sequencer, to which end
50 patterns can be stored.

Despite it's forementioned limitations, I think the sequencer is a really nice additional feature. I will note that I could not get my Synth 2's sequencer to toss out it's notational information through the units MIDI out when playing, but I think this may simply be a problem with my specific machine.

In regard to dealing with other NON MIDI based gear, the Synth 2 is
capable of receving CV In for control of it's oscillators and also
offers an audio in for routing external gear through it's EGs.

So how does it sound? I picked up the MFB speficially as a bass synth,
and as a compliment to my 777 during my acid performances (yep,
there's still those of us out there involved in that area). It allows
me to quickly develop a suitable amount of synth bass timbres with ease, while synth leads and other more sci-fi like timbres are also easily and quickly developed.

In regard to low end, this thing can get just absolutely viscious.

Despite it's existence of FM capability, the Synth II is by no means strong in this area. It does add to it's capable sound pallete, but it's far from being something like a DX7 replacement.

I've only owned the Synth II for about a month now, but I've had no problems with it thus far and don't fear issues arising from it in the live setting.

I will note however, that as stated earlier, though the MIDI out of my unit transmit all data from knob movements and other synth specific paramaters, it does not through out MIDI notational related data (despite the sequencer being set to do so).

Ultimately however, I do not feel I've owned the unit long enough at this point to comment on how reliable it truly is.

My dealings with MFB have been slight, and both good and bad.

I'll note that at the time I purchased my Synth II, MFB did not have American distribution and thus I had to jump through some hurdles in order to obtain one in the U.S. (in which I reside). If you do not live in Europe (or somewhere that has MFB distribution), I'd expect to go through the same ordeal.

I initially emailed MFB concerning this issue as I hoped to be able to purchase a unit from them directly and have them ship it to me. I would never receive ANY reply to my email however. (ultimately I would not obtain the unit through MFB directly)

I would not receive a power supply with the unit when I received it, and as the manual does not specifically state any specifics in regards to the a proper power supply for the unit and there are no markings on the unit itself specifying what the unit takes power wise, this would cause some distress.

I would end up calling MFB seeking to have them mail a native power supply for the unit. I'm not sure who I talked to on the phone, but the gentleman was extremely polite and patient with me despite the fact that I did not speak German and English was not his first language. He would provide me with a good deal of information in regard to what kind of power supply would be suitable for the unit without frying it (this information is not in the English version of the manual) and offer to send me a European power supply should I ultimately not be able to find a suitable American power supply.

I will note that I would end up going through some ordeals to obtain a proper power supply for the thing (it takes an odd sized adapter), and once again, I will not be surprised that if one does not live in a place of native European power supplies, they may run into some difficulty in this area.

I really like the Synth 2. I got it as a synth to be dedicated mainly towards synth bass creation, and in this regard it does it's job well. Further, like many, I must admit that I've long desired a Minimoog but when thinking of what I would probably actually use a Mini for, I simply couldn't justify the price I'd probably have to pay for one nor the amount of maintence I might have to dedicate to it.
In this regard the MFB came to somewhat ease my desire for a Mini but also added a good deal to of capability that I would have never gotten from a Mini.

I'll confess that funds provided, I'd probably grab something like a
Minimoog just out of simple nostalgia, however, with keeping things
within the mindset of practical application and usefulness, I'd take a
Synth 2 over a Mini any day. Definately a decent bang for the buck,
and worth considering if you are looking for an analouge bass synth,
lead, or simply desiring a Mini.

I won't go as far to say that I LOVE the Synth II, but truly do like it a good deal and actually toyed with the idea of adding on an additional one to my setup.

knobs for everything... no patching in hidden menues - immideate feedback on every control

SAme features as a minimmog plus some other. onboard sequencer

it is not a minimoog but comes very close

for that price the little plastic appeal is okay

never needed

i just love it - pure analog madness at an icredible price

Making sound out of this little plastic box is a true pleasure. It has knobs for everything and patch memories to store them. The manual is nothing else but 2 A4 papers... but you won't need anything more than that. The presets ain't that bad, but as always, there is more to get out of it.

It is a real analogue (VCO, VCF, VCA) desktop module and it is monophonic. The concept is a super compact Minimoog (3 VCOs and Moog-type 24dB/oct lowpass filter) with added features like VCO-sync, 2 dedicated LFOs, 2 RingMods (digital), MIDI responding to velocity, Pitch Bend, Mod Wheel and MidiClock (sync), CV/Gate In, Step Sequencer (32 steps 25 sequences). It's amazing how much features have been squeezed into that little module (size: 315 x 165 x 38/75 mm) and to a very good price. There is no on-board effects and no expansion capabilities.

This module can do most of those classic Kraftwerk Moog sounds but also lots of metallic insanities if you use VCO-sync, both RingMods and VCA-feedback together with a lot of tweakings (great for Industrial stuff). It could also be kept clean (you don't have to use all 3 VCOs) and sound more techno-like. There is a good square wave to do PWM with. The real analogue VCOs really adds that raw gritty vintage sound that DCO-synths find so hard to deliver. The sequencer doesn't offer velocity so the module sounds better if it is controled over MIDI with velocity. I have five hi-quality mp3 samples up here and a full review:
http://www.unease.se/mfb-synth2test.htm
I haven't really tried to do accoustic sounds with it but I would be surprised if it does that well.

This synth has been on the market only a few days and I have owned it for two days, so what can I say? It is all build in plastic but seems okay to me. It is very light weighted and small, perfect for a DJ to carry around.

Manfred Fricke in Berlin (MFB)is a one-man company if I got it right, atleast he answers all the e-mails himself, usually the day after. Answers are usually kept short (but friendly) and I got the impression that he is very buzy. I haven't asked for support yet so I don't really know.

I have been vacuum cleaning internet for a long time to find the machine that suited my needs best, on a budget. This little thing turned out to be the winner. I was also considering the DSI Evolver (my second choice), Future Retro-777, Neptune and vintage gear like Pro-One, Moog Prodigy and Korg Mono/Poly, but they don't have MIDI or patch memories (and they are over-priced). Most important for my choice were the real analogue sound, Moog-type filter, patch memories, MIDI and velocity.